A few of you have wondered why everyone isn't freaking out. There is a reason Neville didn't react like in the books to Bellatrix, which will be explained later. Hermione is certainly not happy with what is happening to her, but I see her as too mature to throw an absolute temper tantrum over something she knows she can't control. Dumbledore will try to play chess and manipulate the situation as much as he can, and you will see how well that works out. As for Harry and Ron, I have read many stories where they freak out and abandon Hermione, who then goes running to the dark side. That's not what is going to happen in this story, Bellatrix is just going to have to work a bit harder to convince Hermione to see things her way. No Ron or Harry bashing here, though I am not huge fans of Dumbledore or Molly Weasley, which will become apparent as the story progresses.
Hogwarts, January 1996
After a long grueling session in the library, Hermione relented and slumped in defeat in the old leather armchair. Harry and Ron had come by to lend support, moral support anyways, but left after an hour or so out of boredom and the desire to play Quidditch. Hermione began to slowly reshelf the books she had referenced, thinking of all she had learned.
To her immense disappointment, it was in fact a house ring, and the magic Ginny had explained was close to accurate. House Rings are Goblin made, forged at age 11 for pureblood children when they acquire their first wand. A house ring can only be gifted to their betrothed by a member of the line passing on the family name, almost exclusively male heirs. For example, Narcissa Malfoy would have been given the Malfoy ring, versus Lucius being given the Black ring. Upon marriage, the house ring is returned to its original wizard, and is replaced by the wedding band on the witch.
A look through an old tome on the Sacred Twenty Eight revealed that the insignia was, in fact, the Black family crest. Another, more updated book on the pureblood culture was able to supply her with more information about the Blacks, their motto "Tojours Pur" standing out in her mind. Hermione wondered how that was supposed to work out, she was a muggleborn! The whole lot of them thought of her as a Mudblood.
Of all of the confusing things she had learned that day, the final was paramount. It was odd, from what she could find out, Neville was correct, and Bellatrix was the only Black she could find that would have a ring, though she wouldn't be able to gift it as she wasn't a male heir. Sirius would have lost his ring when he was disowned, and the others were either dead, disowned, or married off to other families. Hermione supposed that it was possible there was another Black somewhere, maybe a bastard child of Sirius or his father or uncle, which was still technically considered a pureblood, as long as the mother was pure as well. They would have had to somehow acquire a Black ring though, which was complicated. That still posed the question of, whoever this person was, how did they find her? And how did she come about becoming engaged?
After dinner the trio met up in the common room, in the corner by the fire as to not be overheard. Hermione had read that glamour charms didn't work on house rings, so she tried to keep her left hand out of sight as much as possible. Luckily she was right handed. The last thing she needed was the Hogwarts population gossiping and spreading rumors when she didn't know the truth herself.
Harry spoke first after hearing Hermione's large dump of information. "I reckon I should ask Padfoot about all of this. He might be able to help, and he really ought to know since it is his family, disowned or not. I'll pen a letter and send it whenever I get another message from whatever strange sort of bird he's been using lately." Hermione nodded, this making sense. She hoped Sirius would have something helpful to tell them, but also didn't know how long it would be before they received another message from Harry's godfather. "I also think we should speak to Professor Dumbledore. I don't suppose I can just walk up to him in the great hall, so I'll speak with Professor McGonagall in the morning and see if she can't arrange a meeting. One look at this ring and she ought to understand what I'm on about. I wish there was some way I could hide it, the last thing I want is for Malfoy to get a look at it. No way that he wouldn't recognize his mother's family crest." The other two murmured their agreement, not wanting any more trouble with Malfoy. Ron said he would owl his older brother Bill, who had some experience with goblin made artifacts after working at Gringotts, and would ask him about possible ways to either take the ring off, or conceal it. Hermione didn't think that this was likely, after what she had read about the magic in the rings but she appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
In bed that night, Hermione struggled to sleep as she went over and over in her mind the facts and her conclusions. She had to be missing something. Finally exhausted enough to sleep, she dozed off, hoping that tomorrow would bring more answers, and not simply more questions.
Hermione could feel the bags under her eyes as she shrugged on her school robes the next morning. She was early to breakfast, and ate quickly, wanting to get to transfiguration early in order to speak with Professor McGonagall. Entering the large classroom she set her books down at her desk before wringing her hands nervously, waiting for the Gryffindor head to appear.
Minerva was surprised to see Hermione in her classroom so early, though not as surprised as she would be with some other students. She noticed Hermione's unease, and motioned for her student to come up to her desk. Hermione was still fidgeting as she approached her head of house, and finding herself at an unusual loss for words, simply thrust her left hand forward, displaying the cause of her stress. "Miss Granger…" McGonagall's Scottish brogue was thick with surprise, "what in Merlin's name..?" Hermione could practically see the wheels turning in the older woman's head, as she no doubt processed all of the facts. "When did you get this? Who gave this to you? And don't worry dear, I shan't fault you for putting it on. That ring has old magic, powerful magic." Hermione reached for her bag and pulled out the note she had received with the ring, offering it to McGonagall for her inspection. "I got this by owl yesterday morning. I've no idea who it's from. I was hoping that you could arrange for me to speak with Professor Dumbledore."
The handwriting looked familiar to the Professor, though she couldn't quite recall where she had seen it before. "Of course, Miss Granger. I'll send a message with a time after I speak with Professor Dumbledore. May I keep this? I would like to show it to Albus." Hermione nodded, though a part of her was reluctant to let the letter leave her possession. "Thank you, Professor." Hermione made her way back to her desk just as the other students started arriving for class. She made eye contact with Harry and Ron, a silent understanding passing between the trio. Now all they could do was wait.
It was the next evening by the time Hermione received word about meeting with Professor Dumbledore. One of the younger students delivered a note just before dinner from Professor McGonagall saying that they were set to meet with the Headmaster that night after dinner. Hermione promised Harry and Ron a full update after the meeting, and instead of heading back to the common room after dinner she made her way to the stone gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office. The note from the young Hufflepuff had revealed the password, "junior mints", which opened up the spiral staircase.
Both Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster were waiting for her, twin expressions of worry on their faces. "Would you like some tea, Miss Granger?" Professor Dumbledore attempted his usual kindly uncle demeanor but his eyes didn't sparkle mischievously as they usually did, they were cold and hard. "Yes please, thank you Professor." Hermione took the tea, nervously stirring her 2 sugars and a dash of cream before taking a sip. She felt both sets of eyes on her, specifically her hand and her ring. As she took another sip of tea the silence got to her, and she thrust her hand forward. "Here, I'd take it off for you to examine if I could…" Dumbledore sighed and leaned forward, peering over his half-moon spectacles at the ring. "It is as you suspected, Minerva. She is betrothed to an heir of the Black Family."
"How is this possible, Albus? I mean to say, which Black could it be? There are no Black heirs left!" Albus Dumbledore looked grim. "I have knowledge that leads me to believe that the Black in question is none other than Bellatrix. The timing is also incredibly telling, as she escaped from Askaban the very same day you received your ring."
"Bellatrix?!" Twin exclamations of shock came from both Hermione and Minerva. Surely it couldn't be – first and foremost she was a female! "But, Professor. Well…she is a witch! She can't carry on the family name, only wizards are allowed." Dumbledore sighed, he had more information but he wasn't willing to share it. He had always put his utmost trust in Miss Granger, but now knowing that she was the bride in the prophecy, well, she couldn't be trusted anymore. "There is much that I still do not know, but I was informed many years ago that Bellatrix Black would be an exception to the rule, and that the House Magic would allow her to step in as the heir, and carry on the family name. She has always preferred witches, and for whatever reason, the House Magic and her family have made an exception. It is also why she never married." Dumbledore paused, letting Hermione take this in, before continuing. "Then there is the matter of your engagement. I would have to assume, that you are bound by some sort of marriage contract."
Albus Dumbledore was not in fact telling the truth – he knew from the prophecy that there was no marriage contract – Hermione and Bellatrix were bound much more thoroughly than that. House Magic only made exceptions for same sex couples in the case of soulmates. He didn't think it prudent to share this information with the young Gryffindor, instead steering her towards finding more information about her parentage. After all, he still hadn't a clue what the prophecy meant when it referred to her as 'shrouded in dirt, yet pure'.
"Miss Granger, what I have to ask you is of utmost importance. Were you adopted?" Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, obviously that would be the most logical conclusion. She herself had wondered the same thing after learning she was a witch, and asked her parents. After seeing her birth certificate and a quite graphic home film of her birth, she was quite certain that she was not, in fact, adopted.
"No, Sir, I'm not. I'm quite sure, as well. My parents are my biological parents, and they are muggles." Dumbledore was thoughtful, this was surprising. Of course he would look into the matter independently, but the small amount of veritaserum he had slipped in Hermione's tea assured him that she was telling the truth to the best of her knowledge. "Very well, Miss Granger. Have you ever had any contact with Bellatrix Black, before receiving this letter?"
"No, sir! Of course not! I knew nothing of her other than what I had read in the papers and books, or heard about from Sirius." Dumbledore nodded, expecting this answer. "And one more question, of a more personal nature. Do you have a sexual preference towards women, Miss Granger?" Hermione colored a dark red immediately, embarrassed hearing her Headmaster speak of such things. McGonagall looked as if she was about to interject but held it in, her curiosity getting the better of her. She wanted to hear what the Gryffindor's answer would be. "Well, Sir. I'm not quite sure, really, but yes, I… I believe so." Hermione looked down into her tea, she hadn't been planning on revealing her secret thoughts, but something made her want to be honest with her Professor. "Thank you Miss Granger. You may return to your dormitory. If you receive anything else, letters or gifts from Miss Black, you must let me know immediately. Please do not engage with her in any way. It is absolutely imperative, that you two never meet. Do you understand?"
Hermione nodded and said her goodbyes, practically running back to the dormitory to speak with Harry and Ron. She didn't know what all she would tell them, after all she was barely able to admit to her sexuality to herself and wasn't feeling quite ready to share it with others, even her two best friends.
Back in Dumbledore's office, Minerva turned towards Albus, astounded by his behavior and questions. "Albus, what is the meaning of asking such questions? Surely, you do not think Miss Granger would become involved with a death eater?" Dumbledore looked solemn. "Dear Minerva. I would not have asked if it were not pertinent. Miss Granger, should she be allowed to meet Bellatrix Black, will become involved with her. She will fall in love with her, and doing so, she will lose us this war. We must do everything we can to prevent such a thing from happening, and if we are not successful, we must separate her from Harry, and the Order. Once she meets Bellatrix, she will become our worst enemy. I am sure you are thinking to yourself, wondering how I could possibly know this? I know this just as I know Harry must be the one to defeat Lord Voldemort. It is destiny."
Hermione was in tears when she arrived back at the common room. Harry and Ron looked to each other, knowing just from Hermione's expression that the news was not good. "Professor Dumbledore said that we were right, about everything. I'm engaged, to Bellatrix Black. He said that there must be some sort of marriage contract, and kept asking about my parents." Ron was furious and Harry was deeply worried. They had already been somewhat prepared for the information, but speculation was much different than hearing confirmation. Especially when the confirmation came from Professor Dumbledore. Harry wondered what a witch like Bellatrix Black would want with Hermione.
"Hermione, why do you think Bellatrix wants you? I mean, she's like, old? And evil. And you're, well, 16 and a muggleborn Gryffindor. It doesn't make any sense! I get that it's probably arranged and all that rubbish, but the letter she wrote to you when she sent the ring. She seemed, well, nice." Ron couldn't help himself and chuckled lightly at Harry's description. Hermione turned red, embarrassed but decided to keep sharing what she had learned. She was relieved that Ron hadn't stormed off, and the Harry was being rational as well. The boys didn't always have the best history of keeping their cool. "Well, Professor Dumbledore said that for some reason, she is considered an heir for the Blacks, and will be able to carry on the name. And he said that… erm… she likes witches." Hermione looked down at her hands, mumbling slightly. "What was that 'Mione?" Ron hadn't caught her words, though Harry seemed to have. "Bellatrix, she prefers witches. It's why she never married a wizard."
"Oh…" The tips of Ron's ears turned pink, although it was not unheard of in the wizarding world, being gay certainly wasn't common either. "Do you, uh, like witches 'Mione?" Hermione was surprised Ron was taking everything so well, at one point she had suspected that he harbored a secret crush on her, though she never felt the same way. "I had never thought much about it, really. But Professor Dumbledore asked me and I don't really know why I said yes, but I did. And now that I think about it, it sort of makes sense, and I think that maybe I do?"
Hermione buried her face in her hands, peeking out after a moment to see the boys' reactions. Harry looked thoughtful, and Ron was red in the face before suddenly erupting in a huge grin. "I knew I saw you ogling Fleur Delacour's arse! Then I just figured it was because she was a Veela. But now I know – its just because she is bloody hot!" The trio burst into embarrassed laughter, which soon turned genuine. She hugged them both thoroughly before turning into bed. She was glad that whatever happened, she would have her friends by her side.
Malfoy Manor
Bellatrix paced around her brother in law's study, deep in thought. She would have to find a way to get close to Hermione, to meet her in person. She knew that sending the house ring was risky, but she couldn't help herself. She needed the reassurance that her witch was claimed properly, which the ring did, as well as making sure that all the horny young men at Hogwarts would keep their hands off of Hermione. Bellatrix could not stand the thought of anyone else touching her witch. She had always been possessive, but was shocked at the rage and jealousy which the mere thought of that provoked in her. Sure, she didn't know the girl yet. But they were destined for each other, and in Bellatrix's mind that meant that in a way, Hermione already belonged to her.
From what information she was able to gather, Hermione Granger was a Gryffindor and was best friends with Harry Potter and one of the Weasley boys. Narcissa had told her that the girl was quite clever, and according to Draco, was always top of the class. Knowing all of this, Bellatrix deduced that Hermione would figure out the ring, its purpose, and her identity rather quickly. She would no doubt go to the Headmaster, which was a complication Bellatrix had not planned for when she rashly sent the girl the ring. She had asked Narcissa to owl Draco, and ask that he keep an eye out for Hermione, maybe even attempt to befriend her. She saw no harm in letting the boy know – after all, soon enough they would be family. No doubt Hermione's friends already knew, and Bellatrix was rather hoping that Hermione would be able to find a friend in Draco.
The events of the prophecy were already in motion, but the catalyst would be when they finally met in person. Bella knew that Albus Dumbledore would do everything in his power to try and prevent that from happening. She planned on sneaking into Hogsmede, but knew that most likely the old coot would make up something in order to keep Hermione in the castle, and away from Bellatrix. Sneaking into the castle was not an option, the wards were highly complex and even if she could make it on the grounds there was no way she could manage to get into the castle to see her witch. No, the prophecy would be correct and they would meet during a battle of some sort. This didn't stop Bellatrix from planning to owl Hermione, figuring that attempting to woo the witch would be difficult and she might as well start as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Bellatrix also decided to begin looking into Hermione's heritage.